This article details the installation and configuration process of the '''''Synaptics input driver''''' for Synaptics (and ALPS) touchpads found on most notebooks.

This article details the installation and configuration process of the '''''Synaptics input driver''''' for Synaptics (and ALPS) touchpads found on most notebooks.

== Installation ==

== Installation ==

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The Synaptics driver can be [[pacman|installed]] with the package {{Pkg|xf86-input-synaptics}}, available in the [[official repositories]].

The Synaptics driver can be [[pacman|installed]] with the package {{Pkg|xf86-input-synaptics}}, available in the [[official repositories]].

== Configuration ==

== Configuration ==

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The primary method of configuration for the touchpad is through an [[Xorg]] server configuration file. After installation of {{ic|xf86-input-synaptics}}, a default configuration file is located at {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}.

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Users can edit this file to configure the various driver options available, for a complete list of all available options users should refer to the synaptics manual page:

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The primary method of configuration for the touchpad is through an [[Xorg]] server configuration file. After installation of {{ic|xf86-input-synaptics}}, a default configuration file is located at {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}.

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{{bc|$ man synaptics}}

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Users can edit this file to configure the various driver options available, for a complete list of all available options users should refer to the synaptics manual page:

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{{Note|Synaptics 1.0 and higher support input device properties if the driver is running on X server 1.6 or higher. On these driver versions, Option "SHMConfig" is not needed to enable run-time configuration. See man page for more info.}}

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$ man synaptics

=== Frequently used options ===

=== Frequently used options ===

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The following lists options that many users may wish to configure. Note that all these options can simply be added to the main configuration file in {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}, as shown in this example configuration file where we have enabled vertical, horizontal and circular scrolling:

The following lists options that many users may wish to configure. Note that all these options can simply be added to the main configuration file in {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}, as shown in this example configuration file where we have enabled vertical, horizontal and circular scrolling:

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{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf|<nowiki>

{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf|<nowiki>

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Section "InputClass"

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Section "InputClass"

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Identifier "touchpad"

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Identifier "touchpad"

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Driver "synaptics"

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Driver "synaptics"

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MatchIsTouchpad "on"

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MatchIsTouchpad "on"

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Option "TapButton1" "1"

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Option "TapButton1" "1"

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Option "TapButton2" "2"

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Option "TapButton2" "2"

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Option "TapButton3" "3"

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Option "TapButton3" "3"

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Option "VertEdgeScroll" "on"

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Option "VertEdgeScroll" "on"

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Option "VertTwoFingerScroll" "on"

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Option "VertTwoFingerScroll" "on"

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Option "HorizEdgeScroll" "on"

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Option "HorizEdgeScroll" "on"

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Option "HorizTwoFingerScroll" "on"

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Option "HorizTwoFingerScroll" "on"

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Option "CircularScrolling" "on"

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Option "CircularScrolling" "on"

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Option "CircScrollTrigger" "2"

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Option "CircScrollTrigger" "2"

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Option "EmulateTwoFingerMinZ" "40"

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Option "EmulateTwoFingerMinZ" "40"

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Option "EmulateTwoFingerMinW" "8"

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Option "EmulateTwoFingerMinW" "8"

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Option "CoastingSpeed" "0"

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Option "CoastingSpeed" "0"

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...

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...

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EndSection

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EndSection

</nowiki>}}

</nowiki>}}

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; '''EmulateTwoFingerMinZ/W''': (integer) play with this value to set the precision of two finger scroll.

; '''EmulateTwoFingerMinZ/W''': (integer) play with this value to set the precision of two finger scroll.

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[[Touchpad_Synaptics/50-synaptics.conf_example|An example]] with a brief description of all options. As usual settings will vary between machines. It is recommended that you discover your own options using [[Touchpad_Synaptics#Synclient|synclient]].

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[[Touchpad Synaptics/10-synaptics.conf example|An example]] with a brief description of all options. As usual settings will vary between machines. It is recommended that you discover your own options using [[Touchpad_Synaptics#Synclient|synclient]].

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{{Note|If you find that your hand frequently brushes your touchpad, causing the TapButton2 option to be triggered (which will more than likely paste from your clipboard), and you do not mind losing two-finger-tap functionality, set {{ic|TapButton2}} to -1.}}

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{{Note|

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* If you find that your hand frequently brushes your touchpad, causing the TapButton2 option to be triggered (which will more than likely paste from your clipboard), and you do not mind losing two-finger-tap functionality, set {{ic|TapButton2}} to -1.

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{{Note|Recent versions include a "Coasting" feature, enabled by default, which may have the undesired effect of continuing almost any scrolling until the next tap or click, even if you are no longer touching the touchpad. This means that to scroll just a bit, you need to scroll (by using the edge, or a multitouch option) and then almost immediately tap the touchpad, otherwise scrolling will continue forever. If wish to avoid this, set {{ic|CoastingSpeed}} to 0.}}

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* Recent versions include a "Coasting" feature, enabled by default, which may have the undesired effect of continuing almost any scrolling until the next tap or click, even if you are no longer touching the touchpad. This means that to scroll just a bit, you need to scroll (by using the edge, or a multitouch option) and then almost immediately tap the touchpad, otherwise scrolling will continue forever. If wish to avoid this, set {{ic|CoastingSpeed}} to 0.

; SHMConfig: (boolean) Switch on/off shared memory for run-time debugging. This option does not have an effect on run-time configuration anymore and is only useful for hardware event debugging.

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=== GNOME/Cinnamon ===

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=== GNOME ===

Users of [[GNOME]] may have to edit its configuration as well, because in default it is set to disable tapping to click, horizontal scrolling and not to allow touchpad disabling while typing.

Users of [[GNOME]] may have to edit its configuration as well, because in default it is set to disable tapping to click, horizontal scrolling and not to allow touchpad disabling while typing.

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To change these settings in '''Gnome 3''':

To change these settings in '''Gnome 3''':

# Open ''System Settings''.

# Open ''System Settings''.

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# Click ''Mouse and Touchpad''.

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# Change the settings on the ''Touchpad'' tab.

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To change these settings in '''Cinnamon''':

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# Open ''Cinnamon System Settings''.

# Click ''Mouse and Touchpad''.

# Click ''Mouse and Touchpad''.

# Change the settings on the ''Touchpad'' tab.

# Change the settings on the ''Touchpad'' tab.

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Gnome settings daemon may override existing settings (for example ones set in {{ic|xorg.conf.d}}) for which there is no equivalent in any of the graphical configuration utilities. It is possible to stop gnome from touching mouse settings at all:

Gnome settings daemon may override existing settings (for example ones set in {{ic|xorg.conf.d}}) for which there is no equivalent in any of the graphical configuration utilities. It is possible to stop gnome from touching mouse settings at all:

'''Remember''': Since Gnome works on a user by user basis, when you run dconf-editor or gconf-editor, this should be done in your current user session. Repeat this procedure for each and every user you have for this computer.

=== MATE ===

=== MATE ===

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As with [[GNOME]], it is possible configure the way MATE handles the touchpad:

As with [[GNOME]], it is possible configure the way MATE handles the touchpad:

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# Edit {{ic|/apps/mate_settings_daemon/plugins/mouse/}}

# Edit {{ic|/apps/mate_settings_daemon/plugins/mouse/}}

# Uncheck the '''active''' setting.

# Uncheck the '''active''' setting.

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=== Configuration on the fly ===

=== Configuration on the fly ===

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Next to the traditional method of configuration, the Synaptics driver also supports on the fly configuration. This means that users can set certain options through a software application, these options are applied immediately without needing a restart of Xorg. This is useful to test configuration options before you include them in the configuration file.

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{{Note|The {{ic|SHMConfig}} option has been removed from Synaptics. Configuration through {{ic|synclient}} doesn't need it anymore.}}

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Next to the traditional method of configuration, the Synaptics driver also supports on the fly configuration. This means that users can set certain options through a software application, these options are applied immediately without needing a restart of Xorg. This is useful to test configuration options before you include them in the configuration file.

{{Warning|On-the-fly configuration is non-permanent and will not remain active through a reboot, suspend/resume, or restart of Xorg. This should only be used to test, fine-tune or script configuration features.}}

{{Warning|On-the-fly configuration is non-permanent and will not remain active through a reboot, suspend/resume, or restart of Xorg. This should only be used to test, fine-tune or script configuration features.}}

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==== Graphical tools ====

==== Graphical tools ====

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{{Warning|Some of the tools below still require the obsolete {{ic|SHMConfig}} mode, and will not work with current xf86-input-synaptics driver. Please remove outdated tools from the list.}}

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{{Warning|Some of the tools below still require the obsolete {{ic|SHMConfig}} mode, and will not work with current {{Pkg|xf86-input-synaptics}} driver. Please remove outdated tools from the list.}}

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* {{App|GPointing Device Settings|provides graphical on the fly configuration for several pointing devices connected to the system, including your synaptics touch pad. This application replaces GSynaptics as the preferred tool for graphical touchpad configuration through the synaptics driver|http://live.gnome.org/GPointingDeviceSettings|{{AUR|gpointing-device-settings}}}}

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* {{App|GPointing Device Settings|provides graphical on the fly configuration for several pointing devices connected to the system, including your synaptics touch pad. This application replaces GSynaptics as the preferred tool for graphical touchpad configuration through the synaptics driver|http://live.gnome.org/GPointingDeviceSettings|{{Pkg|gpointing-device-settings}}}}

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:{{Note|For GPointingDeviceSettings to work with Synaptics touchpads both {{Pkg|xf86-input-synaptics}} and {{Pkg|libsynaptics}} have to be installed!}}

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:{{Note|For GPointingDeviceSettings to work with Synaptics touchpads both {{Pkg|xf86-input-synaptics}} and {{Pkg|libsynaptics}} have to be installed.}}

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* {{App|GSynaptics (Deprecated!)|allows the user to configure options such as horizontal, vertical and circular scrolling as well as the option to enable or disable the touchpad. The [http://gsynaptics.sourceforge.jp/ GSynaptics website] mentions that its development has stopped and that it will eventually be outdated, the application functions perfectly with xorg 1.11, through users looking for a graphical tools are suggested to use '''GPointingDeviceSettings''' instead, GSynaptics should only be used as a last resort|http://gsynaptics.sourceforge.jp/|{{Pkg|gsynaptics}}}}

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* {{App|Synaptiks|touchpad configuration and management tool for [[KDE]]. It provides a System Settings module to configure basic and advanced features of the touchpad. Additionally it comes with a little system tray application, which can switch the touchpad automatically off, while an external mouse is plugged or while you are typing.|http://synaptiks.lunaryorn.de|{{Pkg|synaptiks}}}}

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* {{App|Synaptiks (unmaintained)|touchpad configuration and management tool for [[KDE]]. It provides a System Settings module to configure basic and advanced features of the touchpad. Additionally it comes with a little system tray application, which can switch the touchpad automatically off, while an external mouse is plugged or while you are typing. This utility is currently unmaintained; moreover it seems to crash under KDE 4.11.|https://github.com/synaptiks/synaptiks|{{AUR|synaptiks}}}}

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* {{App|kcm_touchpad|touchpad configuration tool for [[KDE]]. It provides a System Settings module to configure basic and advanced features of the touchpad. Development stopped in 2010, but it seems to work under KDE 4.11.|https://github.com/mishaaq/kcm_touchpad|{{AUR|kcm_touchpad}}}}

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== Advanced configuration ==

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== Advanced Configuration ==

=== Using xinput to determine touchpad capabilities ===

=== Using xinput to determine touchpad capabilities ===

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Depending on your model, synaptic touchpads may have or lack capabilities. We can determine which capabilities your hardware supports by using {{ic|xinput}}.

Depending on your model, synaptic touchpads may have or lack capabilities. We can determine which capabilities your hardware supports by using {{ic|xinput}}.

* left, middle and right hardware buttons

* left, middle and right hardware buttons

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First, find the name of your touchpad:

First, find the name of your touchpad:

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{{bc|$ xinput -list}}

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$ xinput -list

You can now use {{ic|xinput}} to find your touchpad's capabilities:

You can now use {{ic|xinput}} to find your touchpad's capabilities:

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$ xinput list-props "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" | grep Capabilities

$ xinput list-props "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad" | grep Capabilities

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Synaptics Capabillities (309): 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1

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Synaptics Capabilities (309): 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1

From left to right, this shows:

From left to right, this shows:

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=== Synclient ===

=== Synclient ===

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Synclient can configure every option available to the user as documented in {{ic|$ man synaptics}}. A full list of the current user settings can be brought up:

Synclient can configure every option available to the user as documented in {{ic|$ man synaptics}}. A full list of the current user settings can be brought up:

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{{bc|$ synclient -l}}

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$ synclient -l

Every listed configuration option can be controlled through synclient, for example:

Every listed configuration option can be controlled through synclient, for example:

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$ synclient PalmDetect=1 (to enable palm detection)

$ synclient PalmDetect=1 (to enable palm detection)

$ synclient TapButton1=1 (configure button events)

$ synclient TapButton1=1 (configure button events)

$ synclient TouchpadOff=1 (disable the touchpad)

$ synclient TouchpadOff=1 (disable the touchpad)

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After you have successfully tried and tested your options through synclient, you can make these changes permanent by adding them to {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}.

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After you have successfully tried and tested your options through synclient, you can make these changes permanent by adding them to {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}.

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The synclient monitor can display pressure and placement on the touchpad in real-time, allowing further refinement of the default Synaptics settings.

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=== evtest ===

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You can start the Synaptics monitor with the following command:

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The tool {{AUR|evtest}} can display pressure and placement on the touchpad in real-time, allowing further refinement of the default Synaptics settings. The evtest monitoring can be started with:

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{{bc|$ synclient -m 100}}

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Where -m activates the monitor and the following number specifies the update interval in milliseconds.

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This monitor provides information about the current state of your touchpad. For example, if you move the mouse with the touchpad, the x and y values in the monitor will change. Therewith you can easy figure out your touchpad's dimension which is defined in the LeftEdge-, RightEdge-, BottomEdge- and TopEdge-Options.

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$ evtest /dev/input/event''X''

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The abbreviations for the parameters are as follow:

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''X'' denotes the touchpad's ID. It can be found by looking at the output of {{ic|cat /proc/bus/input/devices}}.

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{| class="wikitable"

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evtest needs exclusive access to the device which means it cannot be run together with an X server instance. You can either kill the X server or run evtest from a different virtual terminal (e.g., by pressing {{ic|Ctrl+Alt+2}}).

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|- align="left"

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!width="200"|Abbreviation

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!width="400|Description

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|-

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|'''time'''

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|Time in seconds since the logging was started.

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|-

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|'''x, y'''

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|The x/y coordinates of the finger on the touchpad. The origin is in the upper left corner.

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|-

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|'''z'''

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|The pressure value. It represents the pressure you are using to navigate on your touchpad.

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|-

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|'''f'''

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|Number of fingers currently touching the touchpad.

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|-

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|'''w'''

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|Value that represents the finger width.

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|-

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|'''l,r,u,d,m,multi'''

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|Those values represent the state of the left, right, up, down, middle and multi buttons pressed where zero means not pressed and one means pressed.

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|-

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|'''gl,gm,gr'''

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|For touchpads which have a guest device, this are the associated button states for guest left, guest middle and guest right pressed (1) and not pressed (0).

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|-

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|'''gdx, gdy'''

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|x/y coordinates of the guest device.

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|}

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If a value constantly is zero, it implies that this option is not supported by your device.

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Now use {{ic|synclient}} to test new values. For example, to adjust minimum pointer speed:

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=== Circular Scrolling ===

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$ synclient MinSpeed=0.5

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To make the changes permanent, they will need to be put in your {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} file.

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=== Circular Scrolling ===

Circular scrolling is a feature that Synaptics offers which closely resembles the behaviour of iPods. Instead of (or additional to) scrolling horizontally or vertically, you can scroll circularly. Some users find this faster and more precise.

Circular scrolling is a feature that Synaptics offers which closely resembles the behaviour of iPods. Instead of (or additional to) scrolling horizontally or vertically, you can scroll circularly. Some users find this faster and more precise.

To enable circular scrolling, add the following options to the touchpad device section of {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}:

To enable circular scrolling, add the following options to the touchpad device section of {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}:

{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf|<nowiki>

{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf|<nowiki>

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Section "InputClass"

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Section "InputClass"

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...

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...

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Option "CircularScrolling" "on"

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Option "CircularScrolling" "on"

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Option "CircScrollTrigger" "0"

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Option "CircScrollTrigger" "0"

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...

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...

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EndSection

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EndSection

</nowiki>}}

</nowiki>}}

The option '''CircScrollTrigger''' may be one of the following values, determining which edge circular scrolling should start:

The option '''CircScrollTrigger''' may be one of the following values, determining which edge circular scrolling should start:

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0 All Edges

0 All Edges

1 Top Edge

1 Top Edge

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To scroll fast, draw small circles in the center of your touchpad. To scroll slowly and more precise, draw large circles.

To scroll fast, draw small circles in the center of your touchpad. To scroll slowly and more precise, draw large circles.

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=== Natural Scrolling ===

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=== Natural scrolling ===

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It is possible to enable natural scrolling through synaptics. Simply use negative values for {{ic|VertScrollDelta}} and {{ic|HorizScrollDelta}} like so:

It is possible to enable natural scrolling through synaptics. Simply use negative values for {{ic|VertScrollDelta}} and {{ic|HorizScrollDelta}} like so:

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{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf|<nowiki>

{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf|<nowiki>

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Section "InputClass"

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Section "InputClass"

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...

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...

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Option "VertScrollDelta" "-111"

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Option "VertScrollDelta" "-111"

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Option "HorizScrollDelta" "-111"

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Option "HorizScrollDelta" "-111"

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...

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...

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EndSection

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EndSection

</nowiki>}}

</nowiki>}}

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=== Software Toggle ===

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=== Software toggle ===

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You may find it useful to have a software toggle that will turn on or off your touchpad, especially if it is extremely sensitive and you are doing a lot of typing. Please also see [[#Disable touchpad upon external mouse detection]] as that may be better solution, a matter of choice. The advantage here is you have the control, while the other solution has a daemon determine when to turn off the trackpad.

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You may find it useful to have a software toggle that will turn on or off your touchpad, especially if it is extremely sensitive and you are doing a lot of typing. Please also see [[#Disable touchpad upon external mouse detection]] as that may be better solution, a matter of choice. The advantage here is you have the control, while the other solution has a daemon determine when to turn off the trackpad.

You will want to grab [[xbindkeys]] if you do not already have key binding software.

You will want to grab [[xbindkeys]] if you do not already have key binding software.

Then save this script to something such as {{ic|/usr/bin/trackpad-toggle.sh}}:

Then save this script to something such as {{ic|/usr/bin/trackpad-toggle.sh}}:

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{{hc|/usr/bin/trackpad-toggle.sh|<nowiki>

{{hc|/usr/bin/trackpad-toggle.sh|<nowiki>

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#!/bin/bash

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#!/bin/bash

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synclient TouchpadOff=$(synclient -l | grep -c 'TouchpadOff.*=.*0')

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synclient TouchpadOff=$(synclient -l | grep -c 'TouchpadOff.*=.*0')

</nowiki>}}

</nowiki>}}

Then finally add a key binding to use the script. It is best to call with xbindkeys like so (file {{ic|~/.xbindkeysrc}}):

Then finally add a key binding to use the script. It is best to call with xbindkeys like so (file {{ic|~/.xbindkeysrc}}):

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{{hc|~/.xbindkeysrc|<nowiki>

{{hc|~/.xbindkeysrc|<nowiki>

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"/usr/bin/trackpad-toggle.sh"

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"/usr/bin/trackpad-toggle.sh"

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m:0x5 + c:65

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m:0x5 + c:65

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Control+Shift + space

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Control+Shift + space

</nowiki>}}

</nowiki>}}

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Now just (re)start {{ic|xbindkeys}} and {{keypress|Ctrl}}+{{keypress|Shift}}+{{keypress|Space}} will now toggle your trackpad!

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Now just (re)start {{ic|xbindkeys}} and {{ic|Ctrl+Shift+Space}} will now toggle your trackpad.

Of course you could easily use any other keybinding software, such as the ones provided by Xfce4 and GNOME.

Of course you could easily use any other keybinding software, such as the ones provided by Xfce4 and GNOME.

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=== Disable Trackpad while Typing ===

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=== Disable trackpad while typing ===

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==== Using automatic palm detection ====

==== Using automatic palm detection ====

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First of all you should test if it works properly for your trackpad and if the settings are accurate:

First of all you should test if it works properly for your trackpad and if the settings are accurate:

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$ synclient PalmMinWidth=

$ synclient PalmMinWidth=

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which is the width of the area your hand touches, and

which is the width of the area your hand touches, and

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Once you have found the correct settings, save them into {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} like this:

Once you have found the correct settings, save them into {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} like this:

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{{bc|<nowiki>#synclient PalmDetect=1

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{{bc|<nowiki>

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#synclient PalmDetect=1

Option "PalmDetect" "1"

Option "PalmDetect" "1"

#synclient PalmMinWidth=10

#synclient PalmMinWidth=10

Option "PalmMinWidth" "10"

Option "PalmMinWidth" "10"

#synclient PalmMinZ=200

#synclient PalmMinZ=200

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Option "PalmMinZ" "200"</nowiki>}}

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Option "PalmMinZ" "200"

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</nowiki>}}

==== Using .xinitrc ====

==== Using .xinitrc ====

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To have the touchpad disabled automatically when you begin typing, add the following line to your {{ic|~/.xinitrc}} before you run your window manager (if not using a login manager):

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To have the touchpad disabled automatically when you begin typing, add the following line to your {{ic|~/.xinitrc}} (before any line starting with {{ic|exec}}, otherwise the command will not be executed):

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{{bc|$ syndaemon -t -k -i 2 -d &}}

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$ syndaemon -t -k -i 2 -d &

; '''-i 2''': sets the idle time to 2 seconds. The idle time specifies how many seconds to wait after the last key-press before enabling the touchpad again.

; '''-i 2''': sets the idle time to 2 seconds. The idle time specifies how many seconds to wait after the last key-press before enabling the touchpad again.

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More details are available in the man page:

More details are available in the man page:

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{{bc|$ man syndaemon}}

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$ man syndaemon

If you are using a login manager, you will need to specify the command where your DE allows you to do so.

If you are using a login manager, you will need to specify the command where your DE allows you to do so.

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==== Using a Login Manager ====

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==== Using a login manager ====

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The "-d" option is necessary to start syndaemon as a background process for post Login instructions.

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The {{ic|-d}} option is necessary to start syndaemon as a background process for post Login instructions.

'''For GNOME: (GDM)'''

'''For GNOME: (GDM)'''

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To start syndaemon you need to use Gnome's Startup Applications Preferences program. Login to Gnome and go to '''System > Preferences > Startup Applications'''. In the Startup Programs tab click the '''Add''' button. Name the Startup Program whatever you like and input any comments you like (or leave this field blank). In the command field add:

To start syndaemon you need to use Gnome's Startup Applications Preferences program. Login to Gnome and go to '''System > Preferences > Startup Applications'''. In the Startup Programs tab click the '''Add''' button. Name the Startup Program whatever you like and input any comments you like (or leave this field blank). In the command field add:

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In Gnome 3 run gnome-session-properties to access startup applications.

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In Gnome 3 run gnome-session-properties to access startup applications.

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{{bc|$ syndaemon -t -k -i 2 -d &}}

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$ syndaemon -t -k -i 2 -d &

When you are done, click the '''Add''' button in the '''Add Startup Program''' dialogue. Make sure the check box next to the startup program you have created is checked, in the list of additional startup programs. Close the '''Startup Applications Preferences''' window and you are done.

When you are done, click the '''Add''' button in the '''Add Startup Program''' dialogue. Make sure the check box next to the startup program you have created is checked, in the list of additional startup programs. Close the '''Startup Applications Preferences''' window and you are done.

If ''syndaemon'' starts automatically with mouse removal, then you can combine this with the remove rule above. If you need to start ''syndaemon'' yourself, then alter the command accordingly with your favourite ''syndaemon'' options.

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+

For an environment where multiple users are present, a slightly different approach is needed to detect the current users X environment. This script will help achieving this:

[[GNOME]] and [[MATE]], by default, will overwrite various options for your touch-pad. This includes configurable features for which there is no graphical configuration within GNOME's system control panel. This may cause it to appear that {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} isn't applied. Please refer to the GNOME section in this article to prevent this behavior.

[[GNOME]] and [[MATE]], by default, will overwrite various options for your touch-pad. This includes configurable features for which there is no graphical configuration within GNOME's system control panel. This may cause it to appear that {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} isn't applied. Please refer to the GNOME section in this article to prevent this behavior.

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=== ALPS Touchpads ===

=== ALPS Touchpads ===

+

{{Expansion}}

{{Expansion}}

−

{{Box YELLOW|TODO|needs to be rewritten for udev}}

+

{{Out of date|needs to be rewritten for udev}}

For ALPS Touchpads, if the above configuration does not provide the desired results, try the following configuration instead:

For ALPS Touchpads, if the above configuration does not provide the desired results, try the following configuration instead:

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=== The touchpad is not working, Xorg.0.log shows "Query no Synaptics: 6003C8" ===

=== The touchpad is not working, Xorg.0.log shows "Query no Synaptics: 6003C8" ===

+

Due to the way synaptics is currently set-up, 2 instances of the synaptics module are loaded. We can recognize this situation by opening the xorg log file ({{ic|/var/log/Xorg.0.log}}) and noticing this:

Due to the way synaptics is currently set-up, 2 instances of the synaptics module are loaded. We can recognize this situation by opening the xorg log file ({{ic|/var/log/Xorg.0.log}}) and noticing this:

This is caused by a [https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=27442 kernel bug] which was fixed in kernel version 3.3. Wrongly detected touchpads cannot be configured with the Synaptic input driver. To fix this, simply install the [[AUR]] package {{AUR|psmouse-alps-driver}}.

This is caused by a [https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=27442 kernel bug] which was fixed in kernel version 3.3. Wrongly detected touchpads cannot be configured with the Synaptic input driver. To fix this, simply install the [[AUR]] package {{AUR|psmouse-alps-driver}}.

In some cases Synaptics touchpads only work partially. Features like two-finger scrolling or two-finger middle-click do not work even if properly enabled. This is probably related to the [[#The_touchpad_is_not_working.2C_Xorg.0.log_shows_.22Query_no_Synaptics:_6003C8.22|The touchpad is not working]] problem mentioned above. Fix is the same, prevent double module loading.

In some cases Synaptics touchpads only work partially. Features like two-finger scrolling or two-finger middle-click do not work even if properly enabled. This is probably related to the [[#The_touchpad_is_not_working.2C_Xorg.0.log_shows_.22Query_no_Synaptics:_6003C8.22|The touchpad is not working]] problem mentioned above. Fix is the same, prevent double module loading.

If preventing the module from loading twice does not solve your issue, try commenting out the toggle "MatchIsTouchpad" (which is now included by default in the synaptics config).

If preventing the module from loading twice does not solve your issue, try commenting out the toggle "MatchIsTouchpad" (which is now included by default in the synaptics config).

−

=== Disable touchpad upon external mouse detection ===

+

If clicking with either 2 or 3 fingers is interpreted as a right-click, so you cannot get a middle click either way regardless of configuration, this bug is probably the culprit: https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=55365

−

With the assistance of [[udev]], it is possible to automatically disable the touchpad if an external mouse has been plugged in. To achieve this, add the following udev rules to {{ic|/etc/udev/rules.d/01-touchpad.rules}}:

If syndaemon starts automatically with mouse removal, then you can combine this with the remove rule above. If you need to start syndaemon yourself, then alter the command accordingly with your favourite syndaemon options.

+

=== Cursor jump ===

−

=== Cursor Jump ===

Some users have their cursor inexplicably ''jump'' around the screen. There currently no patch for this, but the developers are aware of the problem and are working on it.

Some users have their cursor inexplicably ''jump'' around the screen. There currently no patch for this, but the developers are aware of the problem and are working on it.

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=== Touchpad device is not located at {{ic|/dev/input/*}} ===

=== Touchpad device is not located at {{ic|/dev/input/*}} ===

+

If that is the case, you can use this command to display information about your input devices:

If that is the case, you can use this command to display information about your input devices:

−

{{bc|$ cat /proc/bus/input/devices}}

+

+

$ cat /proc/bus/input/devices

Search for an input device which has the name "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad". The "Handlers" section of the output specifies what device you need to specify.

Search for an input device which has the name "SynPS/2 Synaptics TouchPad". The "Handlers" section of the output specifies what device you need to specify.

'''Example output:'''

'''Example output:'''

+

{{hc|$ cat /proc/bus/input/devices|<nowiki>

{{hc|$ cat /proc/bus/input/devices|<nowiki>

I: Bus=0011 Vendor=0002 Product=0007 Version=0000

I: Bus=0011 Vendor=0002 Product=0007 Version=0000

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In this case, the {{ic|Handlers}} are {{ic|mouse0}} and {{ic|event1}}, so {{ic|/dev/input/mouse0}} would be used.

In this case, the {{ic|Handlers}} are {{ic|mouse0}} and {{ic|event1}}, so {{ic|/dev/input/mouse0}} would be used.

−

{{Expansion}}

+

{{Expansion|TODO: explain how to apply this in {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}}}

−

{{Box YELLOW|TODO|explain how to apply this in {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}}}

+

=== Firefox and special touchpad events ===

=== Firefox and special touchpad events ===

−

By default, Firefox is set up to do special events upon tapping or scrolling certain parts of your touchpad.

+

−

You can edit the settings of those actions by typing '''about:config''' in your Firefox address bar.

+

You can enable/disable some special events that Firefox handles upon tapping or scrolling certain parts of your touchpad by editing the settings of those actions.

−

To alter these options, double-click on the line in question, changing "true" to "false" and vise versa.

+

Type '''about:config''' in your Firefox address bar.

+

To alter options, double-click on the line in question.

+

+

==== Firefox 16.0 and earlier ====

To prevent Firefox from scrolling (backward/forward) through browser history and instead scroll through pages, edit these settings as shown:

To prevent Firefox from scrolling (backward/forward) through browser history and instead scroll through pages, edit these settings as shown:

+

mousewheel.horizscroll.withnokey.action = 1

mousewheel.horizscroll.withnokey.action = 1

mousewheel.horizscroll.withnokey.sysnumlines = true

mousewheel.horizscroll.withnokey.sysnumlines = true

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To prevent Firefox from redirecting you to URLs formed from your clipboard content upon tapping the upper-right corner of your touchpad (or middle mouse button), set the following option to "false":

To prevent Firefox from redirecting you to URLs formed from your clipboard content upon tapping the upper-right corner of your touchpad (or middle mouse button), set the following option to "false":

middlemouse.contentLoadURL = false

middlemouse.contentLoadURL = false

+

+

==== Firefox 17.0 and later ====

+

+

Horizontal scrolling will now by default scroll through pages and not through your history. To reenable Mac-style forward/backward with two-finger swiping, edit:

+

+

mousewheel.default.action.override_x = 2

+

+

You may encounter accidental forwards/backwards while scrolling vertically. To change Firefox's sensitivity to horizontal swipes, edit:

+

+

mousewheel.default.delta_multiplier_x

+

+

The optimum value will depend on your touchpad and how you use it, try starting with <code>10</code>. A negative value will reverse the swipe directions.

{{Accuracy|Description here is not so clear and i don't use Opera,Please make it clear :)}}

* assign key "Button 6" to command "Scroll left"

* assign key "Button 6" to command "Scroll left"

* assign key "Button 7" to command "Scroll right"

* assign key "Button 7" to command "Scroll right"

−

=== Scrolling and multiple actions with Synaptics on LG Laptops ===

+

=== Scrolling and multiple actions with Synaptics on LG laptops ===

+

These problems seem to be occurring on several models of LG laptops.

These problems seem to be occurring on several models of LG laptops.

Symptoms include: when pressing Mouse Button 1, Synaptics interprets it as ScrollUP and a regular button 1 click; same goes for button 2.

Symptoms include: when pressing Mouse Button 1, Synaptics interprets it as ScrollUP and a regular button 1 click; same goes for button 2.

The scrolling issue can be resolved by entering in {{ic|xorg.conf}}:

The scrolling issue can be resolved by entering in {{ic|xorg.conf}}:

+

{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/xorg.conf|Option "UpDownScrolling" "0"}}

{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/xorg.conf|Option "UpDownScrolling" "0"}}

−

NOTE that this will make Synaptics interpret one button push as three. There is a patch written by Oskar Sandberg[http://www.math.chalmers.se/~ossa/linux/lg_tx_express.html] that removes these clicks.

+

{{Note|This will make Synaptics interpret one button push as three. There is a patch written by Oskar Sandberg[http://www.math.chalmers.se/~ossa/linux/lg_tx_express.html] that removes these clicks.}}

Apparently, when trying to compile this against the latest version of Synaptics it fails. The solution to this is using the GIT repository for Synaptics[http://web.telia.com/~u89404340/touchpad/synaptics/.git].

Apparently, when trying to compile this against the latest version of Synaptics it fails. The solution to this is using the GIT repository for Synaptics[http://web.telia.com/~u89404340/touchpad/synaptics/.git].

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To build the package after downloading the tarball and unpacking it, execute:

To build the package after downloading the tarball and unpacking it, execute:

−

{{bc|$ cd synaptics-git}}

+

−

{{bc|$ makepkg}}

+

$ cd synaptics-git

+

$ makepkg

=== Other external mouse issues ===

=== Other external mouse issues ===

+

First, make sure your section describing the external mouse contains this line (or that the line looks like this):

First, make sure your section describing the external mouse contains this line (or that the line looks like this):

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=== Touchpad synchronization issues ===

=== Touchpad synchronization issues ===

+

Sometimes the cursor may freeze for several seconds or start acting on its own for no apparent reason. This behavior is accompanied by records in {{ic|/var/log/messages.log}}

Sometimes the cursor may freeze for several seconds or start acting on its own for no apparent reason. This behavior is accompanied by records in {{ic|/var/log/messages.log}}

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=== Delay between a button tap and the actual click ===

=== Delay between a button tap and the actual click ===

+

+

{{Out of date|On Synaptics Driver 1.7.1, the {{ic|FastTaps}} option has been removed.}}

+

If you experience a delay between the tap on the touchpad and the actual click that is registered you need to enable FastTaps:

If you experience a delay between the tap on the touchpad and the actual click that is registered you need to enable FastTaps:

To do so, you should add '''Option "FastTaps" "1"''' to {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} so that you have:

To do so, you should add '''Option "FastTaps" "1"''' to {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} so that you have:

If you are using Xorg 7.4, you may get a warning like this from {{ic|/var/log/Xorg.0.log}}, thais is because the driver will grab the event device for exclusive use when using the Linux 2.6 event protocol. When it fails, X will return this error message.

If you are using Xorg 7.4, you may get a warning like this from {{ic|/var/log/Xorg.0.log}}, thais is because the driver will grab the event device for exclusive use when using the Linux 2.6 event protocol. When it fails, X will return this error message.

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If you want to control it, add or modify the "GrabEventDevice" option in you touchpad section in {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}:

If you want to control it, add or modify the "GrabEventDevice" option in you touchpad section in {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}}:

−

{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf|<nowiki>

+

−

...

+

{{hc|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf|2=

−

Option "GrabEventDevice" "''boolean''"

+

...

−

...

+

Option "GrabEventDevice" "''boolean''"

−

</nowiki>}}

+

...

+

}}

+

This will come into effect when X is restarted, though you can also change it by using synclient. When changing this parameter with the synclient program, the change will not take effect until the Synaptics driver is disabled and re-enabled. This can be achieved by switching to a text console and then switching back to X.

This will come into effect when X is restarted, though you can also change it by using synclient. When changing this parameter with the synclient program, the change will not take effect until the Synaptics driver is disabled and re-enabled. This can be achieved by switching to a text console and then switching back to X.

Many drivers include a firmware that is loaded into flash memory when the computer boots. This firmware is not necessarily cleared upon shutdown, and is not always compatible with Linux drivers. The only way to clear the flash memory is to shutdown completely rather than using reboot. It is generally considered best practice to never use reboot when switching between operating systems.

Many drivers include a firmware that is loaded into flash memory when the computer boots. This firmware is not necessarily cleared upon shutdown, and is not always compatible with Linux drivers. The only way to clear the flash memory is to shutdown completely rather than using reboot. It is generally considered best practice to never use reboot when switching between operating systems.

−

=== Buttonless TouchPads (aka ClickPads) ===

+

=== Buttonless touchpads (aka ClickPads) ===

−

Some laptops have a special kind of touchpad which has the mouse buttons as part of the tracking plate, instead of being external buttons. For example HP series 4500 ProBooks, ThinkPad X220 and X1 ThinkPad series have this kind of a touchpad. By default whole button area is detected as a left button resulting in the second mouse button being unusable and click + drag will not work. Previously support for such devices was achieved by using third party patches, but from version 1.6.0 the synaptics driver has native multitouch support (using the ''mtdev'' library).

+

+

Some laptops have a special kind of touchpad which has the mouse buttons as part of the tracking plate, instead of being external buttons. For example HP series 4500 ProBooks, ThinkPad X220 and X1 ThinkPad series have this kind of a touchpad. By default whole button area is detected as a left button resulting in the second mouse button being unusable and click + drag will not work. Previously support for such devices was achieved by using third party patches, but from version 1.6.0 the synaptics driver has native multitouch support (using the ''mtdev'' library). Note that although the driver registers multiple touches, it does not track individual fingers (as of version 1.7.1) which results in confusing behavior when using physical buttons of a clickpad for drag-and-drop and other gestures. You can look into the {{AUR|xf86-input-mtrack}} driver for better multitouch support.

To enable other buttons modify the touchpad section in {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} (or better, of your custom synaptics configuration file prefixed with a higher number):

To enable other buttons modify the touchpad section in {{ic|/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf}} (or better, of your custom synaptics configuration file prefixed with a higher number):

The above example is commonly found in documentation or synaptics packages, and it translates to right half of the bottom 18% of the touchpad to be a right button. There is '''no middle button''' defined. If you want to define a middle button remember one key piece of information from the manual; edge set to 0 extends to infinity in that direction.

+

The above example is commonly found in documentation or synaptics packages, and it translates to right half of the bottom 18% of the touchpad to be a right button. There is '''no middle button''' defined. If you want to define a middle button remember one key piece of information from the manual; '''edge set to 0 extends to infinity in that direction.'''

In the following example right button will occupy 40% of the rightmost part of the button area. We then proceed to setup the middle button to occupy 20% of the touchpad in a small area in the center.

In the following example right button will occupy 40% of the rightmost part of the button area. We then proceed to setup the middle button to occupy 20% of the touchpad in a small area in the center.

−

...

+

...

−

Option "SoftButtonAreas" "60% 0 82% 0 40% 59% 82% 0"

+

Option "SoftButtonAreas" "60% 0 82% 0 40% 59% 82% 0"

−

...

+

...

You can use {{ic|<nowiki>synclient</nowiki>}} to check the new soft button areas:

You can use {{ic|<nowiki>synclient</nowiki>}} to check the new soft button areas:

−

$ synclient -l | grep -i ButtonArea

+

{{hc|<nowiki>$ synclient -l | grep -i ButtonArea</nowiki>|<nowiki>

RightButtonAreaLeft = 3914

RightButtonAreaLeft = 3914

RightButtonAreaRight = 0

RightButtonAreaRight = 0

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Line 742:

MiddleButtonAreaTop = 3918

MiddleButtonAreaTop = 3918

MiddleButtonAreaBottom = 0

MiddleButtonAreaBottom = 0

+

</nowiki>}}

If your buttons aren't working, soft button areas are not changing, ensure you do not have a synaptics configuration file distributed by a package which is overriding your custom settings (ie. some AUR packages distribute configurations prefixed with very high numbers).

If your buttons aren't working, soft button areas are not changing, ensure you do not have a synaptics configuration file distributed by a package which is overriding your custom settings (ie. some AUR packages distribute configurations prefixed with very high numbers).

+

These settings cannot be modified on the fly with {{ic|<nowiki>synclient</nowiki>}}, however, {{ic|<nowiki>xinput</nowiki>}} works:

Installation

Configuration

The primary method of configuration for the touchpad is through an Xorg server configuration file. After installation of xf86-input-synaptics, a default configuration file is located at /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf.

Users can edit this file to configure the various driver options available, for a complete list of all available options users should refer to the synaptics manual page:

$ man synaptics

Frequently used options

The following lists options that many users may wish to configure. Note that all these options can simply be added to the main configuration file in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf, as shown in this example configuration file where we have enabled vertical, horizontal and circular scrolling:

(integer) configures which mouse-button is reported on a non-corner, one finger tap.

TapButton2

(integer) configures which mouse-button is reported on a non-corner, two finger tap

TapButton3

(integer) configures which mouse-button is reported on a non-corner, three finger tap

RBCornerButton

(integer) configures which mouse-button is reported on a right bottom corner, one finger tap (use Option "RBCornerButton" "3" to achieve Ubuntu style tap behaviour for right mouse button in lower right corner)

RTCornerButton

(integer) as above, but for top right corner, one finger tap.

VertEdgeScroll

(boolean) enables vertical scrolling while dragging across the right edge of the touch pad.

HorizEdgeScroll

(boolean) enables horizontal scrolling while dragging across the bottom edge of the touch pad.

VertTwoFingerScroll

(boolean) enables vertical scrolling using two fingers.

HorizTwoFingerScroll

(boolean) enables horizontal scrolling using two fingers.

EmulateTwoFingerMinZ/W

(integer) play with this value to set the precision of two finger scroll.

An example with a brief description of all options. As usual settings will vary between machines. It is recommended that you discover your own options using synclient.

Note:

If you find that your hand frequently brushes your touchpad, causing the TapButton2 option to be triggered (which will more than likely paste from your clipboard), and you do not mind losing two-finger-tap functionality, set TapButton2 to -1.

Recent versions include a "Coasting" feature, enabled by default, which may have the undesired effect of continuing almost any scrolling until the next tap or click, even if you are no longer touching the touchpad. This means that to scroll just a bit, you need to scroll (by using the edge, or a multitouch option) and then almost immediately tap the touchpad, otherwise scrolling will continue forever. If wish to avoid this, set CoastingSpeed to 0.

GNOME/Cinnamon

Users of GNOME may have to edit its configuration as well, because in default it is set to disable tapping to click, horizontal scrolling and not to allow touchpad disabling while typing.

To change these settings in Gnome 2:

Run gconf-editor

Edit the keys in the /desktop/gnome/peripherals/touchpad/ folder.

To change these settings in Gnome 3:

Open System Settings.

Click Mouse and Touchpad.

Change the settings on the Touchpad tab.

To change these settings in Cinnamon:

Open Cinnamon System Settings.

Click Mouse and Touchpad.

Change the settings on the Touchpad tab.

Gnome settings daemon may override existing settings (for example ones set in xorg.conf.d) for which there is no equivalent in any of the graphical configuration utilities. It is possible to stop gnome from touching mouse settings at all:

Remember: Since Gnome works on a user by user basis, when you run dconf-editor or gconf-editor, this should be done in your current user session. Repeat this procedure for each and every user you have for this computer.

MATE

As with GNOME, it is possible configure the way MATE handles the touchpad:

Run mateconf-editor

Edit the keys in the desktop/mate/peripherals/touchpad/ folder.

To prevent Mate settings daemon from overriding existing settings, do as follows:

Run mateconf-editor

Edit /apps/mate_settings_daemon/plugins/mouse/

Uncheck the active setting.

Configuration on the fly

Next to the traditional method of configuration, the Synaptics driver also supports on the fly configuration. This means that users can set certain options through a software application, these options are applied immediately without needing a restart of Xorg. This is useful to test configuration options before you include them in the configuration file.

Warning: On-the-fly configuration is non-permanent and will not remain active through a reboot, suspend/resume, or restart of Xorg. This should only be used to test, fine-tune or script configuration features.

Console tools

Synclient (Recommended) — command line utility to configure and query Synaptics driver settings on a live system, the tool is developed by the synaptics driver maintainers and is provided with the synaptics driver

Graphical tools

Warning: Some of the tools below still require the obsolete SHMConfig mode, and will not work with current xf86-input-synaptics driver. Please remove outdated tools from the list.

GPointing Device Settings — provides graphical on the fly configuration for several pointing devices connected to the system, including your synaptics touch pad. This application replaces GSynaptics as the preferred tool for graphical touchpad configuration through the synaptics driver

Synaptiks (unmaintained) — touchpad configuration and management tool for KDE. It provides a System Settings module to configure basic and advanced features of the touchpad. Additionally it comes with a little system tray application, which can switch the touchpad automatically off, while an external mouse is plugged or while you are typing. This utility is currently unmaintained; moreover it seems to crash under KDE 4.11.

kcm_touchpad — touchpad configuration tool for KDE. It provides a System Settings module to configure basic and advanced features of the touchpad. Development stopped in 2010, but it seems to work under KDE 4.11.

After you have successfully tried and tested your options through synclient, you can make these changes permanent by adding them to /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf.

evtest

The tool evtestAUR can display pressure and placement on the touchpad in real-time, allowing further refinement of the default Synaptics settings. The evtest monitoring can be started with:

$ evtest /dev/input/eventX

X denotes the touchpad's ID. It can be found by looking at the output of cat /proc/bus/input/devices.

evtest needs exclusive access to the device which means it cannot be run together with an X server instance. You can either kill the X server or run evtest from a different virtual terminal (e.g., by pressing Ctrl+Alt+2).

Circular Scrolling

Circular scrolling is a feature that Synaptics offers which closely resembles the behaviour of iPods. Instead of (or additional to) scrolling horizontally or vertically, you can scroll circularly. Some users find this faster and more precise.
To enable circular scrolling, add the following options to the touchpad device section of /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf:

The option CircScrollTrigger may be one of the following values, determining which edge circular scrolling should start:

0 All Edges
1 Top Edge
2 Top Right Corner
3 Right Edge
4 Bottom Right Corner
5 Bottom Edge
6 Bottom Left Corner
7 Left Edge
8 Top Left Corner

Specifying something different from zero may be useful if you want to use circular scrolling in conjunction with horizontal and/or vertical scrolling. If you do so, the type of scrolling is determined by the edge you start from.

To scroll fast, draw small circles in the center of your touchpad. To scroll slowly and more precise, draw large circles.

Natural scrolling

It is possible to enable natural scrolling through synaptics. Simply use negative values for VertScrollDelta and HorizScrollDelta like so:

Software toggle

You may find it useful to have a software toggle that will turn on or off your touchpad, especially if it is extremely sensitive and you are doing a lot of typing. Please also see #Disable touchpad upon external mouse detection as that may be better solution, a matter of choice. The advantage here is you have the control, while the other solution has a daemon determine when to turn off the trackpad.

You will want to grab xbindkeys if you do not already have key binding software.

Then save this script to something such as /usr/bin/trackpad-toggle.sh:

If you are using a login manager, you will need to specify the command where your DE allows you to do so.

Using a login manager

The -d option is necessary to start syndaemon as a background process for post Login instructions.

For GNOME: (GDM)

To start syndaemon you need to use Gnome's Startup Applications Preferences program. Login to Gnome and go to System > Preferences > Startup Applications. In the Startup Programs tab click the Add button. Name the Startup Program whatever you like and input any comments you like (or leave this field blank). In the command field add:

In Gnome 3 run gnome-session-properties to access startup applications.

$ syndaemon -t -k -i 2 -d &

When you are done, click the Add button in the Add Startup Program dialogue. Make sure the check box next to the startup program you have created is checked, in the list of additional startup programs. Close the Startup Applications Preferences window and you are done.

If syndaemon starts automatically with mouse removal, then you can combine this with the remove rule above. If you need to start syndaemon yourself, then alter the command accordingly with your favourite syndaemon options.

For an environment where multiple users are present, a slightly different approach is needed to detect the current users X environment. This script will help achieving this:

xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf doesn't seem to apply under GNOME and MATE

GNOME and MATE, by default, will overwrite various options for your touch-pad. This includes configurable features for which there is no graphical configuration within GNOME's system control panel. This may cause it to appear that /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf isn't applied. Please refer to the GNOME section in this article to prevent this behavior.

Touchpad detected as "PS/2 Generic Mouse" or "Logitech PS/2 mouse"

This is caused by a kernel bug which was fixed in kernel version 3.3. Wrongly detected touchpads cannot be configured with the Synaptic input driver. To fix this, simply install the AUR package psmouse-alps-driverAUR.

In some cases Synaptics touchpads only work partially. Features like two-finger scrolling or two-finger middle-click do not work even if properly enabled. This is probably related to the The touchpad is not working problem mentioned above. Fix is the same, prevent double module loading.

If preventing the module from loading twice does not solve your issue, try commenting out the toggle "MatchIsTouchpad" (which is now included by default in the synaptics config).

Firefox and special touchpad events

You can enable/disable some special events that Firefox handles upon tapping or scrolling certain parts of your touchpad by editing the settings of those actions.
Type about:config in your Firefox address bar.
To alter options, double-click on the line in question.

Firefox 16.0 and earlier

To prevent Firefox from scrolling (backward/forward) through browser history and instead scroll through pages, edit these settings as shown:

Reason: Description here is not so clear and i don't use Opera,Please make it clear :) (Discuss in Talk:Touchpad Synaptics#)

assign key "Button 6" to command "Scroll left"

assign key "Button 7" to command "Scroll right"

Scrolling and multiple actions with Synaptics on LG laptops

These problems seem to be occurring on several models of LG laptops.
Symptoms include: when pressing Mouse Button 1, Synaptics interprets it as ScrollUP and a regular button 1 click; same goes for button 2.

The scrolling issue can be resolved by entering in xorg.conf:

/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/xorg.conf

Option "UpDownScrolling" "0"

Note: This will make Synaptics interpret one button push as three. There is a patch written by Oskar Sandberg[1] that removes these clicks.

Apparently, when trying to compile this against the latest version of Synaptics it fails. The solution to this is using the GIT repository for Synaptics[2].

If you are using Xorg 7.4, you may get a warning like this from /var/log/Xorg.0.log, thais is because the driver will grab the event device for exclusive use when using the Linux 2.6 event protocol. When it fails, X will return this error message.

Grabbing the event device means that no other user space or kernel space program sees the touchpad events. This is desirable if the X config file includes /dev/input/mice as an input device, but is undesirable if you want to monitor the device from user space.

If you want to control it, add or modify the "GrabEventDevice" option in you touchpad section in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf:

/etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf

...
Option "GrabEventDevice" "boolean"
...

This will come into effect when X is restarted, though you can also change it by using synclient. When changing this parameter with the synclient program, the change will not take effect until the Synaptics driver is disabled and re-enabled. This can be achieved by switching to a text console and then switching back to X.

Synaptics loses multitouch detection after rebooting from Windows

Many drivers include a firmware that is loaded into flash memory when the computer boots. This firmware is not necessarily cleared upon shutdown, and is not always compatible with Linux drivers. The only way to clear the flash memory is to shutdown completely rather than using reboot. It is generally considered best practice to never use reboot when switching between operating systems.

Buttonless touchpads (aka ClickPads)

Some laptops have a special kind of touchpad which has the mouse buttons as part of the tracking plate, instead of being external buttons. For example HP series 4500 ProBooks, ThinkPad X220 and X1 ThinkPad series have this kind of a touchpad. By default whole button area is detected as a left button resulting in the second mouse button being unusable and click + drag will not work. Previously support for such devices was achieved by using third party patches, but from version 1.6.0 the synaptics driver has native multitouch support (using the mtdev library). Note that although the driver registers multiple touches, it does not track individual fingers (as of version 1.7.1) which results in confusing behavior when using physical buttons of a clickpad for drag-and-drop and other gestures. You can look into the xf86-input-mtrackAUR driver for better multitouch support.

To enable other buttons modify the touchpad section in /etc/X11/xorg.conf.d/50-synaptics.conf (or better, of your custom synaptics configuration file prefixed with a higher number):

The above example is commonly found in documentation or synaptics packages, and it translates to right half of the bottom 18% of the touchpad to be a right button. There is no middle button defined. If you want to define a middle button remember one key piece of information from the manual; edge set to 0 extends to infinity in that direction.

In the following example right button will occupy 40% of the rightmost part of the button area. We then proceed to setup the middle button to occupy 20% of the touchpad in a small area in the center.

If your buttons aren't working, soft button areas are not changing, ensure you do not have a synaptics configuration file distributed by a package which is overriding your custom settings (ie. some AUR packages distribute configurations prefixed with very high numbers).

These settings cannot be modified on the fly with synclient, however, xinput works: